I’ve heard of porcelain veneers, but what are Emax veneers?

Emax veneers are based on the same principles as normal veneers – they work towards creating a straight, white smile, by covering the natural teeth with a synthetic laminate, which is permanently cemented in place. The main difference between more traditional designs and Emax veneers is that they are made out of a specially treated ceramic, so that they can be cut very thin and still remain durable. Emax products are relatively new to the market, but they are steadily gaining popularity; many dentists, and certainly their satisfied customers, regard them as the best kind of veneer in both appearance and performance.

Are Emax veneers better than porcelain veneers?

Emax can probably be described as the next stage of porcelain veneers, and in many ways they are superior to the more traditional variety;

Firstly, Emax veneers can be cut much thinner because they are made out of a more hard-wearing material; if the dentist was to order normal porcelain veneers of the same width, they wouldn’t have anywhere near the strength and durability of the Emax version. The ceramic can withstand chips and fractures, as well as remaining resistant to stains; their width also makes them appear less bulky and more in proportion with the natural facial structure.

Secondly, because they can be cut to a fraction of a millimetre, this means that less reconstruction will need to take place. When porcelain veneers are fitted, some degree of drilling and reshaping is required, to make room for them to fit over the natural teeth; this can sometimes be harmful to the protective layers and it means that the process is completely irreversible. With Emax veneers, it is possible to leave a large amount of the tooth structure in place, and then the patient can have the laminates removed in the future, if for some reason they wish to. This is probably the biggest advantage of Emax over porcelain veneers, because conventional products will have to be replaced sooner and patients don’t always have the finances to fix their teeth after a decade or so.

Thirdly, with traditional techniques, a substantial amount of the enamel has to be removed, which means the dental adhesive has to bond with the dentin layer beneath it; Emax veneers are cemented to the hard outer shell, which is thought to be a much firmer bond that will last longer and perform better under daily use. Of course, the amount of reconstruction that takes place is at the discretion of the dentist, and it depends on what sort of condition the teeth were in to begin with; some people may require none at all, whereas others might need more, if they are undergoing treatment to disguise misalignments or crowding.

Lastly, the ceramic used to create Emax veneers is stained and glazed, and it can be treated with a translucent coating, to make them appear much more natural than the porcelain variety. Better quality materials give a flawless outcome that most people won’t be able to distinguish from real teeth. It’s worth noting that the translucent coating does cost a little bit extra, and it adds to the bulk of the veneer, which means there may be some more reshaping required, although it is not likely to be the same amount as with porcelain veneers.

How much do Emax veneers cost?

Price is probably the biggest drawback with Emax veneers, but you have to expect to pay a little extra for the very best in dental technology – if you want your treatment done well, this is obviously going to cost more, don’t underestimate the difference between a top-end product like Emax and a cheap knock-off that promises the same outcome. A beautiful, natural-looking smile is well worth spending some extra money on, especially if you have problems with confidence, and the cheaper option is not going to get your what you want – in fact, it might even leave you with more issues than you had beforehand. Emax veneers normally cost about £500 a tooth, but this can vary from place to place, and it depends on the experience and skill of your chosen dentist. At the Pearl Dental Clinic, you can be sure you are getting the very best treatment at a reasonable price; you are paying for top-quality dental work, not just the product itself. Give the team a call today, if you think you could benefit from a set of Emax veneers.

How are Emax veneers fitted?

At your initial consultation, your dentist will perform a visual examination on your mouth, to check for any signs of disease or decay, and they will also ask you about your cleaning habits and if you have been experiencing any toothache at all. When you have approved for treatment with Emax veneers, you and your surgeon will select a shape and colour from a sample range, based on your personal preferences and what the dentist deems appropriate for your face shape and size – it is important to get this decision correct, otherwise the teeth could appear over-sized or completely out of place with the patients skin tone. Before the veneers are permanently fixed in place, you should be fitted with a trial model that’s made out of wax, this is to allow you to see what your new smile will look like and ultimately to help you decide whether the treatment is right for you.

If you chose to go ahead with the procedure, your dentist will then carry out any reshaping of your natural teeth that might need doing to incorporate the veneers – this is not a painful process, and if there is a significant amount of sculpting, you will be given a local anaesthetic. After this stage has been completed, a mould of your teeth will be taken and then sent away to the Emax laboratory, where dental technicians will build a set of veneers to your exact specifications. The manufacturing process usually takes between a week and ten days, and you should be fitted with a temporary veneer during this period – although this is not always necessary if the structure of the natural teeth has not been significantly altered. When your veneers are ready, you can return to the clinic to have them permanently cemented in place, using strong dental adhesive.